Feel-Good Fitness

July 8, 2013
Mothers-to-be hoping to stay fit during pregnancy will gain new allies in Pinto and Kramer. The authors' bold approach not only normalizes a highly physically active pregnancy, it makes exercise (even strenuous exercise, if desired) an imperative throughout the trimesters. These two marathoning mothers wrote the book out of necessity: too many pregnant women hear the antiquated (and no longer ACOG-supported) view from doctors that any exercise raising heart rate to over 140 beats per minute is unhealthy, and they suggest using the Borg scale instead, a numbered scale of perceived exertion (Additionally, the authors invoke a golden rule of exercise intensity: "If it doesn't feel good, don't do it."). Pinto and Kramer include comprehensive fitness and safety guidelines for all four "trimesters": the pregnancy itself and the first three postpartum months. Readers are offered accessible, modern medical knowledge of healthy nutrition for pregnant athletes, pregnancy itself, labor, and post-partum questions, beyond the somewhat unconventional attitude expressed toward high fitness goals. Inspirational mom-athlete storiesâsuch as Emily Baer's nursing breaks at 2007's Hardrock 100 Endurance Run (she finished eighth overall)âprove that goals of athleticism and parenting can be achieved simultaneously.